Sparking igniter for explosive-engines.



Patgnted Dec. 2., |902.

l C. C. CHAMBERLAIN.

`SPIAFEKINGIGNITEB F08 EXPLOSIVE' ENGINES. y (Application filed Dec. 12, 1901.) Hndel-r s sheets-sheet L 4"" `1` 'n m Vl "1 m Win/53555: @VEA/TOR., I

` dia/zweef .damerarv I BY l bawww@ MW Y Patented Dec. 2, 1902.

Y C. CHAMBERLAIN. SPARKING IGNITER FDR EXPLOSWE ENGINES.

(Appximibn'mqd Dec. 12, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.v

WJTNESSES d 4 INVENTOR, t

Y GM egim/L .I 1 AHORNEK UNITED STATES lATENT OFFICE.

cHAUNoEY o. CHAMBERLAI'N, or ioNiA',M1on1eAN.

sPARKiNc IGN'ITER FOR ExPLosivE-ENGINES..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 715,196, dated December 2, 1902.

pplication. iled December 12,1901. Serial No. 85,661. (Model.)

To all tptom it may concern..-

Be itknown that I, CHAUNCEY C. CHAMBER- LAIN, a citizen of the United States, residingv at Ionia;A in the county of Ionia and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and' usefullmprovements in Sparking Igniters for Explosive-Engines; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in igniters for gas or hydrocarbon engines; and? it consists in the construction and arrangement ofits parts, which will be more full-yhereinafter described and definitely pointed 4out in the claims.

plish these objects by means of the device' herein described, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a plan View, in part, of a cylinder-hed and combustion-chamber of an ordinary gasolene-engine with my improved device attached thereto. Fig. 2 is an end View of the same with a portion of the combustionchamber broken away to show the igniting portion of the device Within the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail plan view of supportingplate and iixed and movable electrodes With their attachments detached from the igniterchamber, also shows the means for operating said movable electrode. view of same, the means for operating having been. removed therefrom. Fig. 4 is an enlarged ,detail end view of the supportingplate and movable electrode with its attachments detached from the igniting-chamber, the means for operating said movable electrode shown in Figs. 1 and 2 having' been removed therefrom. Fig. 5 is an under side ing hook and spring attachment.

'a and' ct are formed.

view of the same. Fig. 6 is a planlview of my improved actuating-har with its actuat- Fig. 7 isa side View of same. Fig. 8 is a detached end 'view of the actuating-hook. Fig. 9 is a plan viewr of my improved electrode-controlling collar. Fig'. 10 is an end elevation of the same, and Fig. 1l is a part elevation and sectional view of my improved rock-arm and cap with spring attachment. Fig. 12 is a part plan and sectional view of my device with the cap portion J removed to show the arrangement of the electrode-controlling eollar M on the shaft b2.

Referring to Fig. 1, A indicates a cylinder of an ordinary gasolene-engine, B a base for its support, and C the igniting-chamber. D is a supporting-plate havinga diagonally-extended arm E formed therewith. Said arm `E gradually tapers to its outer end, Where upwardly and downwardly projecting bosses formed on the under side of the supportingplate D, Figs. 4 and 5, and its purpose is to provide rigid bearings for the fixed electrodeshaft b and movable electrode-shaft b2. The supporting-plate D is removably secured to the igniting-chamher C by means of capscrews c', as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The inner or lower end of the iixed electrodeshaft b has a sparking-point d extending outward at a right angle thereto. Said electrode-shaft d is threaded at its outer upper end portion and is secured Within the supporting-plate D and cylindrical boss I by means of lock-nuts b3 and a suitably-insulated washer 194 extending into a hole made part Way into the upper portion of said supporting-plate D.k lts shaft a is also provided with suitable insulating material. Electric connection is made to the interior of the igniting-chamber C by means of a Wire e, battery F, wire e', and pole e2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. G is a movable electrodehaving attached to its lower or inner' shaft end bia contacting arm c2, at whichy outer free end is a sparking-point d', itsfpurposeserying to make and break the circuit to cause 'the gases contained Within the igniting-charnber c to explode, which explosion occurs at regular intervals while the engine is in motion. The opposite extreme upper end of the movable I is a cylindrical boss' IOO electrode G has on its shaft b2 a cap J,which is secured by means of a pin f, as shown in Fig. 4. Said cap J has a series of holes f extending around and through it, near'its out-er circumferential surface. y

Referring to Figs. l, 2, 3, 3, and 4, K indicates a rock-arm which has an upward-extended sleeve L, Fig. 11, at one end of the same and has a hole meXtend-ing through it. It is loosely mounted on the shaft b2 of the movable electrode G. N is an adjustable coil-spring mounted on the sleeve L of the rock-arm K, one end of which is bent up and removably secured to the cap J on the end of the shaft b2 of the movable electrode G by means of hole f2, in which it is inserted. The opposite or lower end of said coil-spring N rests on the shouldered portion Z2 thereof and is bent to conform to the contour of rock-arm K at its thickest part near the sleeve L and is secured thereto. The purpose of the holes f in cap J is for adjustment in order to give a greater or less tension to the coil-spring N should it at any time be desired to produce a quicker or slower action of the rock-arm K.

The outer or free end of rock-arm K is nar-v rower, thicker', and heavier than at the part where its sleeve L extends, from which point it tapers to a rounded point n. The contactsurface 0 of said rock-arm K is on the same perpendicular plane as the center of the shaft b2 of the movable electrode G, on which it is loosely mounted. The purpose of the sleeve L on the rock arm K, as hereinbefore described, is to reduce friction between the coilspring N and movable electrode-shaft b2, and

`this is accomplished by reason of the rockabove its sleeve m',) and it gradually tapersl to a rounded point p at its opposite end, at which end a pin p extends upward and bears against the perpendicular surface of rockarm'K. Said electrode-controlling collar M is arranged on the shaft b2 of the movable electrode G immediately below the rock-arm K on a horizontal plane to it, its longest diameter being diagonal to and at a right angle to the perpendicular surface 0 of said rock-arm K. It is rigidly secured to the shaft b2 of the movable electrode G at an angle of about thirty degrees by means of a pin p, (shown in Fig. 4,) its lower surface being adjacent to the upper surface of the supporting-plate D. The use and purpose of the semi-elliptical portionj ofthe electrode-controlling collar M are to form a lever, against which the spring P presses, thus preventing a rebounding of the sparking-point d. P is an angular tension-spring, which is secured to the upper surface of the/supporting-plate D by means of a screw g, andit is set at a slight angle to the shorter axis of the elliptical portionj of the electrode-controlling collar M, its purpose being to prevent the rebounding of the movable electrode G immediately after a spark is produced Within the igniting-chamber C. Secured on the supporting-plate D is a stop a, which is iattened on one side to form a iat bearing, against which the free end of the rock-arm K strikes. Its purpose is to limit the vbackward movement of said rock-arm K after its releasement from the actuating-hook R. It is flattened to provide against the wear on its surface by reason of the blows received from the rock-arm K and is perpendicular to and on the same plane 'as the center of the movable shaft b2. R is an actuating-hook inserted in an angular-shaped slot S, formed in one end of an actuating-bar T and is held in position by means of a pin t passing through it and the forked portions u2 us of said actuating-bar T. Its outer free end is angular in form Vand is concavely beveled, as at o, the perpendicular depth of same being equal to the perpendicular depth of the rock-arm K at its outer free end portion, which it engages. w is a rounded lug formed on the end of the actuatinghook R diagonally to its contact-surface QJ', and it engages an angular looped spring t', secu red to the upper su rface of the actuatingbar T at its outer free end by means of a screw u"inserted in it,and its purpose is to return the actuating-hook R to its normal position after it has been released from the rock-arm K upon the forward and backward movement of the actuating-bar T. The actuating-hook R is flattened and elongated at its engaged portion s2 and lits within the slotted portion of the actuating-bar T, within which it oscillates by means hereinafter described. The slot S in the actuating-bar T is formed angular at its inner end to provide a bearing y for the outer upper end of actuating-hook R, which bears against it while in its normal position; also, to allow free oscillating movement of said actuatinghook R on the pin t after it has become disengaged with the free end of rock-arm Kupon the backward movement of the actuating-bar T. V is a reciprocating lever, one end of which rests upon the uppersurface ofaboss @,formed on the upper surface of the supporting-plate E. It is loosely secured thereto by means of a pin v2 passing through it to the lower surface of the boss a', formed on the under surface thereof.' Said reciprocating lever Vis bent and also loosely secured at its opposite end to the under side of actuating-bar T by means of a pin 153 passing upward through the actuating-bar T. t4 is a connecting-rod secured in the end of actuating-bar T opposite to its slotted portion S, its purpose being to convey motion from the engine to actuatinglever R.

The operation of my device is as follows:

IIO

Motion having been given to the actuatingbar T, supported on the reciprocating lever V, by means of the engine with its connections, actuating-hook R carries forward with it, as indicated by the arrow, Fig. 3, the rockarm K toa portion ofits stroke, (indicated by the dotted lines,) at which portion the sparking-point d' ofthe movable electrode G comes in contact with the sparking-point d ofthe fixed electrode H, which completes the circuit immediately before a spark is produced within the igniting-chamber C, and on a further continuation of the stroke the rock-arm K moves independently on the movable electrode-shaft b2, while the said movable electrode-shaft b2 and the sparking-point d' remain stationary by reason of the sparkingpoints having come in contact with each other. The purpose of the angular spring is to prevent the sparking-points di and d from coming together' prematurely, which they otherwise would by reason of the vibratory or jarring movement of the engine should it not be placed on a firm or solid foundation. The rock-arm K being mounted loosely on the electrode-shaft b2 and being spring-held against pin p' on electrode-controlling collar M until the sparking-points d and clicome in contact with each other, a further forward movement ofthe actuating-hook B, will cause the rock-arm K and pin p to separate and remain separated untilthe actuating-hook Rhas become released from contact with the rockarmK,WhileactuatingbarTisstillmovingforward. The actuating-hook R being fulcrumed bythe pin if below and to the right of its horizontal center, it will be understood that there Willbe no friction at the points of contact until the contacting point of actuating-hook R has-passed the dead-center on the pin t of vsaid actuating-hook R, from whence it will have frictional contact with rock-arm K, but only for aninstant, and will become suddenly released (on account ot' the difference between the leverage of said rock-arm K and actuating-hook R) and rock-arm K will be suddenly and backwardly rotated to its normal position by reason ofthe resilient action ofthecoil-springN. Theelectrod'e-controlling collar M being secured diagonally on the movable electrode-shaft b2, having its pin portion p' abutting the contact-surface of the rockarm K at its inner shaft end portion, the rock-A arm K will strike the said pin portionp' ofthe electrode-controlling collar M immediately before it does the stop Q, which will cause the sparking-points d and d to be instantly separated from each other. Thus a spark will be produced within the igniting chamber C. Upon a return stroke of the actuating-bar T the concave portion u of the actuating-hook R will strike the rounded 'portion n of the rock-arm K, and it will have become forced backward by its own movement on the pintJ toward the angular portion of the slot- SV in the actuating-bar T.

By the foregoing description it will be seen that sparks are produced within the ignitingchamber C only upon the forward movement of the actuating-bar T.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isn

l. In` a sparking device for explosive-engines, the combination with the boss within the igniting-chamber, of a fixed electrodeshaft extending therethrough and suitably insulated therefrom and provided with a sparking-point, a movable electrode-shaft extending therethrough and provided at the inner end with an arm and a sparking-point, a rock-arm having anextended sleeve portion formed at a right angle thereto and made smaller to form a shoulder therewith, and mounted loosely on the movable electrodeshaft, a coil-spring loosely mounted on the sleeve portion ofV the rock-arm, one end of which is secured to a cap on the extreme outer end portion of the-movable electrode-shaft and the other to the rock-arm at its inner, shaft end portion, an electrode-controlling collar having an elliptical portion mounted on and iixedly secured to the movable electrode-shaft, immediately below, and adjacent to said rock-arm, and having its outer and upper free end portion abutting the same,and an angular tension-spring, the upper perpendicular portion of which bears against the elliptical portion of said electrode-controlling collar, having its lower horizontal portion secured to the supporting-plate which is removably mounted on the igniting-chamber of the engine, a stop secured in the upper p0rtion of said supporting-plate adapted to limit the movements of the rock-arm and electrodecontrolliug collar in combination with an automatic releasing mechanism consisting of an actuating-bar having an angular-shaped slot formed therein at its outer free end portion, anda bearing formed therewith, an actuating-hook loosely mounted therein having its free outer end portion beveled and concavely formed, a pin extending through it and the forked portions of said actuating-arm, a'lug formed thereon at its opposite point of contact, angular looped spring secured to the upper surface ofthe actuating-bar at its outer free end portion, adapted to engage the lug on the actuating-hook, a reciprocating lever, one end of which is mounted on the outer end of the arm formed with the supporting-plate and the other to the actuating-bar which carries it forward and backward by means substantially as described.

In a sparking devicelor explosive-engines, the combination with the boss I, within the igniting-chamber 0,012' a fixed electrode- ICO IIO

shaft b',extending therethrough,and suitably insulated therefrom and provided with a sparking-point d, a movable electrode-shaft b2, extending therethrough, and provided at its inner end with an armcz, and sparking .point el', a rock-arm K, having -an extended sleeve portion L, at a` right angle to its free end or contact portion o, which Contact portion yis on the same perpendicular plane as the center of the shaft h2, on which it is loosely mounted, a coil-spring N, loosely mounted on the sleeve portion L, of the movable electrodeshaft b2, one end ot' which is secured to a cap J, on its extreme outer end portion and the other tothe rock-arm K, at its inner shaft end portion, an electrode-controlling collar M, mounted on and I'ixedly secured to the movable electrode-shaft b2, its longest diameter being diagonal to, and at a right angle to the perpendieularsurface o, of said rock-arm K, immediately below and adjacent to said rockarm K and having its outer and upper free end portion abutting the same, and an angular tension-spring P, having its upper perpendicular portion p5, bearing against the elliptical portion j', of said electrode-controlling collar M, and having its lower horizontal portion r1, secured to the supportingplate D, which is removably mounted upon the igniting-chamber C, of the engine, a stop Q, secured to the upper portion of said supporting-plate D, adapted to limit the movements ot' rock-arm K, and electrode-controlling collar M, in combination witli an automatic releasing mechanism having suitable means for operating it from the engine-shaft, substantially as described.

3. In a sparking device for explosive-engines, the combination with the boss I, and fixed electrode-shaft h', having a sparkingpoint d, a movable electrode-shaft b2, extending therethrough and provided with an arm c2, and sparking-point'dQ a rock-arm K, having contact-surfaces o, and n, in combination with an extended sleeve portion L, with its shoulder Z2, loosely mounted on the movable electrode-shaft b2, a spring N, loosely mounted on the sleeve portion L, of said movable electrode-shaft b2, one endf, of which is removably secured to a cap J, having holes f', j", formed therein and the other to the rockarm K, at its inner shaft end portion, an electrode-controlling collar M, having upwardextending pin portion 29', elliptical portionj and sleeve portion fm', near its shaft end portion b2, on which it is mounted and fxedly secured thereto, of an angular tension-spring P, secured to the supporting-plate D, having its upper end portion engaging with the elliptical portion j", of said electrode-controlling collar M, a stop Q, secured in the upper portion of the supporting-plate D, in combination with an automatic releasing mechanism consisting of an actuating-bar T, having an angular-shaped slot S, and bearing portion y, formed therewith, an actuating-lever R, having the flattened and elongated portion s2, concave bevel portion u, and a lug portion w, mountedloosely therein and secured by means of a pin t, passing through it and the forked portions u2, and n3, a spring t', adapted to engage the lug w, of the actuating-lever R, a reciprocating lever V, loosely secured to the arm E, of the supporting-plate D, and actuating-lever T, which carries it substantially as described.

4. In a sparking device for explosive-engines, the combination with the ignitingchamber C, and boss I, of a Xed and movable electrode'mounted therein, a movable electrode G, consisting of a shaft b2, having a suitable sparking-point at its innerend, and cap J at its outer end, a rock-arm K, mounted loosely thereon, having contact-su rfaces o and n, at its free end and an upwardextending sleeve L, with a shoulder Z2, formed therewith at its opposite shaft end, a spring N, mounted loosely on the sleeve portion of rock-arm K, having its upper end secured in cap J, audits lower end to the inner shaft portion of said rock-arm K, in combination with an electrode-controlling collar M, having an upward-extending pin p', at one end and sleeve portion m and an elliptical portion j', at its opposite or shaft end portion, adapted CHAUNCEY C. CI-IAMBERLAIN.

Witnesses:

D. H. MOFFET, S. J. BAsKwELL. 

